Calcutta HC refuses to stay recognition of rebel TMC MLA as leader of opposition by speaker

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday declined to grant interim relief in a petition challenging West Bengal Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose’s decision to recognise expelled Trinamool Congress MLA Ritabrata Banerjee as the leader of opposition, Live Law reported.

Justice Krishna Rao directed all parties to file affidavits explaining their stands. The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 28, Bar and Bench reported.

The writ petition was filed by TMC leader Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, who argued that the speaker had ignored the party leadership’s decision to nominate him as leader of opposition.

According to the petition, a meeting of Trinamool MLAs held on May 6 nominated Chattopadhyay for the post and the decision was communicated to the speaker.

The speaker subsequently sought a resolution and minutes of the meeting, after which additional documents were submitted following another meeting on May 19.

However, the speaker later recognised Ritabrata Banerjee as leader of opposition on the basis of support claimed by a group of rebel Trinamool MLAs.

During the hearing, the court questioned why the speaker had not acted on the proposal submitted by the party leadership while accepting a subsequent representation from rebel legislators, Live Law reported.

The court observed that the central question was whether the speaker could ignore one proposal and recognise another without hearing all concerned parties.

Bose’s counsel defended...

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